Waste-pulping machine with shear and interrupter members

ABSTRACT

A waste-pulping machine of the type utilizing a rotating impeller in which the impeller is provided with one or more blades which can cooperate with one or more stationary blades to provide a shearing action. Interrupter members having cutting edges which will also engage with the blades on the impeller are mounted in stationary position on said machine to facilitate the loosening, cutting and removal of fibrous material in the machine.

United States Patent l l I i lnv nlut It. W.

ltmvnlngtmvn. Pa.

Appl No. 56.469

Filed July 20, 1970 Patented Nov. I6, I97] Assignee Somat Corporation Pomeroy, Pa.

WASTE-PULPING MACHINE WITH SHEAR AND INTERRUPTER MEMBERS 8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 241/46. Int. Cl B02: 13/14 Field of Search 24l/46, 46

B, 46.02, 46.06, 46.l l. 46.17

I St) I Relerenceu (Tlted UNl'l'l-ZD S'IA'II'ZS PA'l'l-INIS 3,073.535 l/l963 Vokes 24 I140. l I 3,339,85I 9/1967 Felton etal. 24l/46.|7 3,578,250 5/197! Combs 24l/46.02

Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. AttorneyKanc, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan & Kurucz ABSTRACT: A waste-pulping machine of the type utilizing a rotating impeller in which the impeller is provided with one or more blades which can cooperate with one or more stationary blades to provide a shearing action. lnterrupter members having cutting edges which will also engage with the blades on the impeller are mounted in stationary position on said machine to facilitate the loosening, cutting and removal of fibrous material in the machine.

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PATENIEUuuv 16 ISH 3,620,460

SHEET 2 or 2 INVENTOR 905597 W; imwrzs ATTQRNEYS WASTE-PULPING MACHINE WITH SHEAR AND INTERRUI'I'ER MEMBERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The application of wet pulping equipment for waste disposal IS finding increasing acceptance. In equipment of this type, waste materials are introduced into an impeller-created vortex of water, reduced to a pulp, passed on to a water extraction device where the excessive water is separated and returned to the pulper for reuse. Conventional waste-pulping machines have been designed on the premise that nearly all waste material is of a fibrous and therefore pulpable nature, and are used mainly for food and paper waste. In recent years, a number of advances have been incorporated which have increased the ability of machines of this type to handle the increasing amounts of nonpulpable materials, and in particular, plastic. These include the use of slotted rings surrounding the pulping impeller, wiping ears mounted to the impeller, pumping vane on the outside of the perforated ring, and retarder blades mounted above the impellers periphery. The ability to handle plastic material has thus increased so as to permit up to about l percent by weight of this material to pass through and thus reduce sorting out of the waste materials.

However, the amount of plastic material in waste has increased still further and very frequently goes beyond percent. Further, this material is tougher. The use of slotted rings has limitations when pumping the less-reduced pulp through a pipeline to a remotely located water extractor. Other materials, commonly in waste, such as wire coathangers, are still problem items, usually requiring manual sorting before going into the machine.

Recently, waste-pulping machines of the type in which waste materials are introduced into an impeller-created vortex of water and reduced to a pulp have been developed wherein the impeller is provided with one or more blades constructed and arranged to cooperate with one or more stationary blades to provide a shearing action as the impeller is rotated. This has greatly alleviated the above-discussed problems in the art. An additionally discovered recent problem is the need for additional cutting members to loosen wedged fibrous material jammed between the moving and stationary portions of the machine to facilitate its cutting and removal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A waste-pulping machines of the type in which waste materials are introduced into an impeller-created vortex of water and reduced to a pulp wherein the impeller is provided with one or more blades constructed and arranged to cooperate with one or more stationary blades to provide a shearing action and one or more interrupter members are located in stationary position on the machine in respect to said moving blade to facilitate the loosening, cutting and removal of waste materials.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional elevation view of a waste-pulping machine utilizing the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of stationary and moving, shearing and cutting members located on the impeller and sieve portion of a waste-pulping machine utilizing the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In reference to the drawings, cylindrical shell 10 and circular base It form the pulping tank. Annular perforated ring 12 separates pulping chamber 13 and slurry chamber 14. The ring closely surrounds impeller l5 which is driven in rotary motion by motor 16 with shah l6 keyed to the impeller with key I8 and protected from leakage by mechanical seal 19.

Baffles 20 are included to divert material moving around the periphery of the chamber over the impeller area. The impeller is provided with a plurality of cutting teeth 21 on its upper surface and a plurality of upwardly projecting cutting teeth or shear teeth 22. Although two shear teeth are shown in this embodiment, the number employed b a matter of choice. The ring 12 is provided with an outwardly directed flange 23 projecting from its upper edge and a plurality of stationary teeth or stationary shearing members 24 are provided projecting upwardly from flange 23. Three such stationary shear teeth 24 are provided in this embodiment.

Spaced around the interior surface of the perforated ring or sieve 12 are a plurality of interrupter members or projections 25. The number of projections 25 employed is a matter of choice. By way of example, nine such members are shown in the embodiment of the drawings. Each member 25 contains a cutting edge which is positioned with respect to shear members 22 extending upwardly from impeller 15 to form an additional cutting surface in addition to the cutting or shearing engagement between members 22 and 24.

It should be noted that shear teeth 22 are spaced inwardly from the exterior perimeter of impeller 15 to permit clearance between interrupter members 25 and shear teeth 22 and to permit the proper mating engagement between the respective cutting or shear edges of members 22 and 25. In accordance with this positioning arrangement, stationary shear members 24 are mounted on flange 23 so that they extend inwardly over and above the surface of impeller 15 to approximately the same distance as members 25 extend inwardly. This permits proper shearing engagement between members 22 and 24 during rotation of the impellers. The cutting action between members 22 and interrupter members 25 occurs below the upper surface of flange 23 and since both shear teeth 22 and stationary shear members 24 extend upwardly from the upper surface of flange 23 the cutting or shearing engagement between members 22 and 24 occurs above the upper surface of flange 23.

Waste and water are introduced into the pulping chamber where the waste is pulped through the action of the impeller until reduced to a size where the solids can pass through the openings 26 in ring or sieve 12 into the slurry chamber. Thereafter, it moves out the discharge port 27 and into a pump (not shown) for transport to an extractor (not shown) where the excess water is removed and returned to the pulper. Valve 28 is included for purposes of draining down the machine completely when desired.

As shown in FIG. 2, shear members 22 and 24 are two parts of a set, the one 22 rotating with the impeller, and the other 24 fixed to the tank. As the impeller rotates, the blade 22 passes across blade 24. The shape of these parts is such as to very closely approximate the action of a pair of hand scissors as the blades pass one another. Baffle 20 is so positioned so as to guide the materials being cut between the shears creating a positive continuous flow of material across the shear faces. The location of the stationary blade 24 in relation to the baffle 20 is a matter of choice. However, preferably the blade or shear member 24 should be positioned so that the flow of water and solids is deflected just in front of the stationary blade 24 allowing the cutter car 22 to cut at the solids. In a typical example, the included angle of the leading edge of cutting member 22 is 35 to 55', as indicated by the letter A. This enables the stationary blade to hold material so that the cutter blade 22 can get to it in a scissor action. The cutter blade 22 is sloped for two reasons. One of the reasons is deflect material that cannot be cut out of the blades, such as pipe, bar, etc. The second reason is to keep stringy material from hanging on the moving car 22 while it is rotating and thereby unbalancing the impeller. This aids in cutting since the surface is always clean. It is useful to affix the stationary blade 24 by bracketing to the flange 23 to allow adjustability in relation to the cutting member 22 so that a specific clearance can be maintained as vortex takes place.

Such a design aids appreciably in the cutting of material providing nearly unlimited ability to gradually reduce heretofore diflicult to handle amounts of plastic, and other nonpulpable material. Obviously, the heavier and harder the shears are constructed, the heavier and tougher the waste materials to be handled can be.

An additional scissorlike cutting engagement is provided between interrupter members 25 and shear ears 22. A preferable angle for this pair of cutting surfaces is from to 35 as illustrated by the letter B in FIG. 2 with a most preferable range being from 16 to 35.

Without the presence of interrupter members 25, as impeller rotates with respect to sieve 12, there would be a tendency for certain types of material such as fibrous or stringy material to jam between shear ears 22 and the hold cylindrical surface or sieve 12. This jamming or wedging of material between the ears and adjoining surface would not thereafter be relieved because the circumferential clearance between shear ears 22 and sieve 12 is continuous. Therefore, by providing a plurality of interrupter members or projections 25 around the circumference of sieve l2 and having projections 25 extending inwardly over the impeller surface periodic additional cutting surfaces are provided to facilitate the loosening, cutting and removal of the wedged fibrous material. To accommodate projection 25, shear ears 22 are positioned significantly inward from the periphery of impeller [5 so as to provide proper mating engagement between the cutting edge of 2s ears 22 and the cutting edge of members 25. To retain the cutting action between stationary shear members 24 and moving shear ears 22, stationary members 24 extend inwardly from their mounted position on flange 23 until they reach a point of proper cutting relationship with shear ears 22. Projections or interrupter members provide for a periodic cutting followed by periodic relief. This arrangement tends to loosen any wedged fibrous material and to facilitate its cutting and removal. Additionally, less power is utilized with the arrangement as shown where a timed cutting relationship is provided. Only one projection or interrupter member 25 mates with one of the two ears 22 at any given point of time. Thereafter, a short period of relief is provided and then another projection or interrupter member 25 mates with the car 22 on the opposing side of the impeller. With cars 22 on opposed sides of the impeller l5, there is less time interval between cuts.

However, an interval is still maintained to assure that only one projection 25 mates with one of the two ears 22 at any given point of time so that less power is required of the drive motor. As shown, there are nine projections 25 in the present embodiment, however, the number utilized is a matter of choice. lt is preferable to have an odd number of projections so that no two projections contact the opposing ears simultaneously. In addition to the lesser use of power, there is less interval between cuts because the opposing ears alternately contact a projection. Proper clearance is maintained between the shear edge of ears 22 and the shear edge of stationary members 24 and the cutting edge of projections 25 so that impeller 15 has complete freedom of rotation during operation.

As shown, the cutting edge of each projection 25 is substantially vertical however, slight alterations in the pitch of this surface to facilitate a better cutting relationship with shear members 22 is contemplated by this invention.

lclaim:

I. In a waste disposable unit of the type comprising:

a cylindrical tank for receiving waste material and water, a

wall of said tank, a bottom portion of said tank extending radially inwardly from said wall, a disc impeller in said tank circumferentially spaced from said wall and supported for rotary motion, said bottom portion terminating in a circular edge adjacent said impeller. an upper surface of said impeller, material-disintegrating teeth on said upper surface, a sieve in the form of a tubular member supported in said tank between said bottom portion and said impeller and radially encircling said impeller, said sieve being formed with a plurality of through apertures, a first shear member projecting upwardly from said upper surface, a second shear member supported stationary relative to said first shear member and in spaced relationship therewith, said first and second shear members extending above said sieve, means for rotating said impeller, first and second edges of said first and second shear members respectively, said first shear edge moving in the direction of said second shear edge upon rotation of said impeller, a baffle member in said tank spaced from said second shear member and extending upwardly from said bottom portion whereby the fiow of material in said tank is deflected from said bottom portion into said second shear edge, that improvement consisting of at least one interrupter member mounted on said sieve and projecting inwardly therefrom above the upper surface of said impeller and having a cutting edge thereon for periodic mating with the shear edge of one of said shear members upon rotation of said impeller to facilitate loosening, cutting and removal of fibrous material in said waste disposal unit.

2. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim I wherein said first shear member is positioned inwardly from the outer edge of the upper surface of said impeller and spaced from said interrupter member to permit mating of the shear edge of said first shear member with a cutting edge of said interrupter member when there is relative movement therebetween.

3. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim I wherein an angle within the range of l6 to 35 degrees is defined by said first shear edge and said cutting edge.

4. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim I wherein said second shear edge defines a greater angle with said first shear edge than the angle defined by said cutting edge and first shear edge.

5. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sieve is formed with a flange projecting outwardly from its upper edge and said second shear member is attached thereto with a portion thereof extending inwardly substantially the same distance as said interrupter member to facilitate the proper mating of said first and second shear edges. and said first and second shear members extending above said sieve.

6. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim 5 wherein two diametrically opposed first shear members are on said impeller, and an odd number of interrupter members are on the circumference of said sieve in uniformly spaced relationship and positioned so that only one interrupter member mates with a first shear member at any point in time.

7. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim 6 wherein there are three uniformly spaced second shear members on said flange.

8. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim 6 wherein there are nine interrupter members on the circumference of said sieve. 

1. In a waste disposable unit of the type comprising: a cylindrical tank for receiving waste material and water, a wall of said tank, a bottom portion of said tank extending radially inwardly from said wall, a disc impeller in said tank circumferentially spaced from said wall and supported for rotary motion, said bottom portion terminating in a circular edge adjacent said impeller, an upper surface of said impeller, material-disintegrating teeth on said upper surface, a sieve in the form of a tubular member supported in said tank between said bottom portion and said impeller and radially encircling said impeller, said sieve being formed with a plurality of through apertures, a first shear member projecting upwardly from said upper surface, a second shear member supported stationary relative to said first shear member and in spaced relationship therewith, said first and second shear members extending above said sieve, means for rotating said impeller, first and second edges of said first and second shear members respectively, said first shear edge moving in the direction of said second shear edge upon rotation of said impeller, a baffle member in said tank spaced from said second shear member and extending upwardly from said bottom portion whereby the flow of material in said tank is deflected from said bottom portion into said second shear edge, that improvement consisting of at least one interrupter member mounted on said sieve and projecting inwardly therefrom above the upper surface of said impeller and having a cutting edge thereon for periodic mating with the shear edge of one of said shear members upon rotation of said impeller to facilitate loosening, cutting and removal of fibrous material in said waste disposal unit.
 2. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first shear member is positioned inwardly from the outer edge of the upper surface of said impeller and spaced from said interrupter member to permit mating of the shear edge of said first shear member with a cutting edge of said interrupter member when there is relative movement therebetween.
 3. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein an angle within the range of 16 to 35 degrees is defined by said first shear edge and said cutting edge.
 4. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second shear edge defines a greater angle with said first shear edge than the angle defined by said cutting edge and first shear edge.
 5. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sieve is formed with a flange projecting outwardly from its upper edge and said second shear member is attached thereto with a portion thereof extending inwardly substantially the same distance as said interrupter member to facilitate the proper mating of said first and second shear edges, and said first and second shear members extending above said sieve.
 6. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim 5 wherein two diametrically opposed first shear members are on said impeller, and an odd number of interrupter members are on the circumference of said sieve in uniformly spaced relationship and positioned so that only one interrupter member mates with a first shear member at any point in time.
 7. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim 6 wherein there are three uniformly spaced second shear members on said flange.
 8. A waste disposal unit in accordance with claim 6 wherein there are nine interrupter members on the circumference of said sieve. 